In his closing arguments Goodman’s lawyer, David Spens QC, said his client had made “shameful” admissions of phone hacking the Duchess 155 times – including Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day in 2005 – and he was not proud of what he had done.
“I am not inviting any sympathy for Mr Goodman. Any sympathy for him has been forfeited by his admission that he hacked Kate Middleton, Prince William and Prince Harry, which was a shameful thing to do,” said Spens.
Disgraced former News of the World royal editor, Clive Goodman.
Disgraced former News of the World royal editor, Clive Goodman.
Disgraced former News of the World royal editor, Clive Goodman.
Earlier in the trial Goodman, 56, told the court he targeted the young royals in 2005 and 2006 and even hacked Miss Middleton – now the Duchess of Cambridge – right up until August 7 2006, which was the day before police arrested him on suspicion of phone hacking – offences he pled guilty to few months later.
The father-of-one is now on trial for two counts of conspiring with his former NoTW editor, Andy Coulson and others to commit misconduct in public office by bribing palace police for royal telephone directories – charges which he denies.
Kate and William early on in their relationship.
Kate and William early on in their relationship.
Kate and William early on in their relationship.
According to the UK’s Guardian, Spens told the court Goodman was “groomed” by Coulson and others to become the “fall guy” in a phone-hacking cover up after his arrest in 2006.
“Mr Goodman was vulnerable. Promises and inducements were made to him. He was gong to have his legal expenses paid, he was suspended on full pay, and he was being offered the prospect he might return to work and he was, we suggest, being groomed to be the fall guy,” he said.
The trial continues.
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